A dramatic turn has been reported at the Wildwood Trust in Kent, where a rescued European brown bear named Fluff has made significant strides in his recovery after undergoing extensive dental surgery. The 27-year-old bear, weighing over 200kg, was placed under general anaesthetic for more than five hours to address a long-standing tooth issue that had been causing him discomfort.
Fluff and his brother Scruff were brought to the UK by the Wildwood Trust in 2014 after being rescued from an abandoned breeding facility in Bulgaria where they spent their initial 15 years in confined concrete pits, reportedly kept for sport hunting. Their journey to Kent covered over 1,600 miles, made possible by a dedicated fundraising campaign.
Following the surgery, Fluff's keepers have observed a marked improvement in his demeanour, with Jon Forde, Wildwood's head of bears, commenting that the treatment has made a 'real difference' to Fluff's quality of life. The brothers have been seen playing together in their dens – an activity not witnessed for a considerable period.
The success of Fluff and Scruff's rehabilitation has paved the way for Wildwood to establish itself as a leading centre for brown bear rescue and care, with the charity extending its sanctuary and specialist services to other rescued bears from across Europe. The trust currently cares for Boki, a younger bear who arrived in 2022 after being hand-reared by keepers following his rejection by his mother.
While it is still early days, the positive signs following Fluff's dental procedure are encouraging for his long-term well-being. Wildwood emphasises the critical role of ongoing veterinary attention in managing the lasting health issues stemming from the bears' early life neglect.